Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale has road and track ability

FOR this week's blog, I am writing about this beautiful 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale photographed at La Perouse, with Bare Island in the background.

This was where Mission Impossible 2 was partly filmed.

Ferrari first created the 360 Challenge Stradale with the aim of providing drivers the performance of a true race car, for road use, so they set it up with the goal of 20% track use and 80% road use.

In the rear of the car is a tuned version of the engine from the 360 Modena, a 3.6-litre V8 which can produce up to 313 kilowatts (425 horsepower) at 8500 rpm.

That is a 19 kilowatt (25 horsepower) boost from the standard engine. The torque remains the same with 373 Newton metres of torque (275 pound-feet of torque) at 4750rpm.

Connected to the engine is a six-speed F1-style automated-manual transmission for the quickest shifts available. The weight is also down compared to the 360 Modena, as this Challenge Stradale has a dry weight of just 1180 kilograms, 110 kilograms less than the standard 360 Modena.

Jesse See.

Since Ferrari completely stripped out the 360 Challenge Stradale, you can hear the incredible soundtrack from inside even better.

I have personally been in many different Ferrari's including 458s and 430s, and the 360 CS is by far one of the best sounding Ferrari's I have ever heard.

Some other features that this particular Ferrari is equipped with includes 19-inch, 14-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in performance tyres, double-wishbone front and rear suspension, traction and stability control, a leather/alcantara interior with leather Modena carbon fibre seats and much more.

The 360 Challenge Stradale was an extremely limited production car, although Ferrari didn't release the actual number produced. Although what we do know is Ferrari only shipped eight CSs to Australian shores.

Since only a couple were sent, customers who missed out started importing them from overseas, and the total number of 360 Challenge Stradales in Australia is now currently unknown.

If an original Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale with low kilometres and in like-new condition came up for sale, just like this particular model, it would be priced at around $400,000-$450,000.

Jesse See is a teenage car enthusiast. His blogs and website can be found atwww.jessesee.com